In Defense of the Law, In Support of this Congress
Paul Proteus
Good morning Americans, everyone else is writing, so you know, I had to pitch in.
The field of political philosophy is overwhelmingly nasty, brutish, and European. Our contributions as Americans primarily lie in the writings of Madison. Madison describes the danger of factions, of concentrated government, and how a representative democracy can overcome the tyranny not only of the majority, but of the minority as well. These are the ideals enshrined in the US constitution, and the ideals that create the foundation for our in game constitution as well. A separation of powers between the legislature and the executive.
The legislature retains the supreme powers of the purse, and of dictating the nation's laws. In a republican government, Madison argues, "the legislative authority necessarily predominates," while the executive is delegated powers of its own. This separation of powers, essential to Madisonian government, is the roadblock that prevents demagoguery, the shining pillar that supports Democracy from the danger of populism that destroyed the democracies of antiquity. Madison understood this, and yet, over two hundred years later, some of us do not.
The SFP is a faction, as all parties and interests are. Additionally, they are a minority faction, while Gnilraps engendered the support of a plurality, those in the SFP, and those who supported the Coup, are a distinct active minority. Those willing to break the law to force their desires upon this country are a minority, and their actions would be labeled, by Madison, by myself, and by this Congress, as tyranny. Our system is aptly designed to prevent this, in fact it is the underlying goal of our entire system. To imply otherwise is to deny the efficacy of the American system of government, in this game, but outside of it as well.
Now, however, the crisis is somewhat averted and we can discuss this reasonably. We emerge from the chaos in an interesting dilemma. Our President ran on a campaign that was blatantly illegal. He came to the Congress, and the Congress roundly rejected the lifting of the Dictatorship for his term. When he won, his followers were incited, by his tacit support, to break the law en masse. That Congress has up until now refrained from deeming this impeachable is an incredible show of restraint and generosity to our administration. In return one would expect a certain amount of respect and compromise.
Congress has now blacklisted those fought against the United States, those who willfully broke the law, those who published articles from positions of power encouraging citizens to break the law, telling them it was their right, when instead it was a gross violation and abuse of said rights. The administration has done the bare minimum to avoid facing the consequences of these events, reluctantly, following the demands of a Congress unwilling to be led by traitors in the executive, those who broke the law have been removed from government, from the position of Chief of Staff, of Vice President.
And yet the Administration refuses to recognize any serious wrongdoing. Even in removing those who defended and committed sedition, our President has clearly projected the importance of pleasing the SFP party before serving the nation, allowing a Party infrastructure to contribute to the decision making of the executive. Gnilraps has time and time again refused to act as the President to all Americans, instead prioritizing the minority faction that provided his strongest support above everyone else. To Jefferson, we were all Republicans, all Democrats. To Gnilraps, it's clear we're all members of the SFP. Instead, the Administration accuses members of the Congress of demagoguery in defending their actions, instead the Administration insists that receiving 45.65% of the vote is a mandate that perhaps should grant impunity to those who break the law.
Never before has an executive threatened the constitutional powers of the legislative so directly. Gnilraps did not fight in the civil war, but he incited it. Gnilraps did not commit treason, he merely defends the patriotism of those who have. Congress has blacklisted these individuals, not because we wanted to, but because to do otherwise would be to allow that our laws are not actually intended to be followed. That is not the case, and no President can make that otherwise. If any member of this community wishes to rejoin, they may do so, by requesting our Congress remove their blacklist. We tend to be lenient to those who respect the basis of Congressional authority. To those who do not, punishment is necessary, or else our laws lose all meaning, and our word becomes toothless.
I am not calling for an impeachment, I would like to think our President will soon realize his responsibility as all of our Commander in Chief, yet those who do so are not out of line. Our President has knowingly incited a massive display of treason, and, in response, has taken no responsibility, and has instead questioned the judgement of a Congress which has had to deal with the fallout. Our President has done nothing to discourage or condemn an act of defiance to the rule of law in this country, and has instead criticized a Congress forced to do the dirty work of cleaning up after his grand populism.
Having dealt with the fallout of the administration's political subterfuge, we are left wondering, how did the administration, or anyone really, expect this to end?
Gnilraps, you have served this community in the past, but so too was Brutus an honourable man. I would like to see myself proved wrong, reactionary, trigger-happy in criticism, make it so.
Comments
I was removed from VP because i did not go on the forums, signed myself in. So was two other members. The meta rules do not apply to anyone. Every eUS player has the right to fight for or against Dictatorship. Congress likes to create meta rules that have absolutely no value to me, SFP or to anyone. Everyone just needs to get off there high horse about this. It is not just SFP. SFP was the voice but others contribute.
You were removed because of your actions in the coup, the same with Tom and PQ.
You can ignore the meta-rules, but then you must completely ignore them. You cannot ignore Congress while accepting other aspects of the forum, such as the executive, including the fact that half of the executive positions are purely meta-concepts.
No, my PM i got from the CP says otherwise. I
Wait, i take thst last part back. I didn't read it right. Nvm.
Oh gosh, I am pretty sure I wasn't "removed" from anything. I haven't forayed into that inane backroom of sad egoism called "esuaforums" in years and don't want to. I don't have the stomach for it. In fact, my dear "meta-lords" have no power over me whatsoever. (And I will certainly not be asking for anyone's forgiveness for acting on my principles, and for playing the game AS IT IS MEANT TO BE PLAYED.)
But I am glad that you think about me from time to time. Paul, I feel like you are a father to me, with all your heartfelt advice. And of course I love you all very much and hope that some day you can escape from the meta-world and live freely, like the other e-forest creatures out here in the "real"-game-world.
MMMMMMMMMWAH!!!
I, too, hope that one day I really quit erep.
[removed]
The irony is the SFP uses their own meta. So the real problem isn't the meta itself, it's the eusaforums.com meta.
Shit, they probably used meta to discuss and start their revolution.
Also, making it against the 'law' for any player to 'revolt' against his or her nation because theyare fighting for what is right, for the people or against is completely messed up. Congress does not speak for me. I speak for myself and i will stand up for what i believe is right. Of Congress is going to "blacklist" citzens for that, makes you wonder who is really is controlling my rights to fight for or against something. My voice will not be muted.
Fight me Congress, i am not afraid, i am sfp or anyone other person in any other party is not a traitor. Congress is is afriad, scared thst their voices are being muted by those who are fed up.
We are not afraid. We're not interested in fighting you, we're interested in upholding representational democracy, and the laws we, as is our right, pass.
Your voice will never be muted, you forever have a right to speak your mind. That you expect to have a "right" to "revolt' against [your] nation" perhaps is due to a lack of understanding the definition of treason, and is a mind-boggling political position.
So, are you confirming that eUS citzens do not habe the right to revolt against their government? What is this? The 1700s?
Is history not your strong suit?
@Josh every citizen has a right to revolt. But there is a difference in ways. As a political party the SFP offered smth different maybe. It gain some popularity. it used the media as a way of advocating their goals and targets, and it did good. It could do more of public speaking, offereing other ways of running the country, even of playing the game and changing the current US laws which they don't like. It could do so many in a democratical, peacefull way. in a way that offers another the option to choose if he will accept it or not. It didn't. It chose to act hostile, wage war and make people spend their money. It involved the entire country without right to do so.
example of the right way to revolt without being judge😛 Martin Luther King tried to change the game in US in a democratical way, without breaking the law.
example of the wrong way of revolt: us civil war. With no possibility of choice. Either you fight for or against. or the shooting on JFK. That guy also revolted.
'A separation of powers between the legislature and the executive.
The legislature retains the supreme powers of the purse....'
I will simply point that ONLY when there is no 'In Game Congress' under the 'Defensive Dictator' does the 'Meta Congress' and the 'Meta Lords' who rule there have any power at all.
Control Congress and you control the Dictator and you control the purse, in the end that is exactly what the 'Meta Lords' wish for; control of American Tax Dollars.
Actually, since the "Meta-Congress" is what an overwhelming majority of the in-game congress uses to organize, they still retain power in-game.
wrong - congress members can say what will appease others in meta... and still push the button how they really feel in the game (when there is an ingame congress) - it's this lack of control over congress in game which more than half drives the so-called elites/"Metalords/whatever to want the defensive dictatorship
I was sad to see many members of the community blacklisted. I was, however, strangely glad to see you included Artela.
The impossibility of your hypocrisy may never be explained, but hopefully we will have to put up with less of it.
Look, it's simple. A deck of playing cards. You can play poker. You can play canasta. You can play bridge. You can even play go fish. All are available with the same cards. However the people at the table must play the same game.
If you want to play meta game then do so. If you want to play game mechanics then do so. Pick one.
Agreed entirely.
i see some playing with aces up their sleeves
"If you want to play meta game then do so. If you want to play game mechanics then do so. Pick one."
Except that the meta game tries to change the rules of the initial game by "taking away" features that should be left to the discretion of the IG players . The forums should be a mean of communication and not a ruling assembly redefining the way this game should be played.
The forums, and everyone who uses them, follow the eUS constitution.
To use them is to implicitly agree to that Supernana, as it has been for more years than you or I have been playing.
I have used the eUSA forums but I will not use it again as long as the majority of those forum users are blacklisting legitimate congress members.
Niemand, they broke the law knowingly. Their censure was automatic even. If they wish to return, they must begin that process, but the process was beyond justified.
Sorry, you can't be on the forum and not play the meta game. The game provides for "game only" players. Start a party that only uses PMs and party shouts. Take over congress. Elect your own CP. Then you only have to follow game rules.
Essentially this. So long as eUS forums users retain a majority in congress, it will remain the system of organizing our government.
Actually that statement should be so long as the eUSA Forums continues to HOST Congress and retains a majority control on those forums. My stand has always been that as long as the Congressional Forums are hosted on the eUSA Forums we will remain under the hob nailed boot of the religious terrorist thugs of the 'Congressional Majority'.
Congressional Forums could be hosted on any number of forums, free for the asking....
What's your problem with the eUSA Forums, FS?
All you have to do is have a majority of people in the eUS that feel as you do. Then the precious Democracy kicks in and the majority has control. The eUSA forum is not the problem, game mechanics people not having a majority is the problem. No two ways about it.
How can a party -any party- build a 'Congressional Majority' on a forum where you can be banned by a group who may:
'II. Congressional Principles:
1. Congress shall organize itself as it sees fit.'
They therefore may ban any citizen for any reason they chose, using religious terrorism to intimidate anyone who might have agreed with those banned.
Nobody was banned from the forum lol
and eh don't break the law and you might have a better chance of not being excluded from the legislative body. Or even apologize and the blacklist can be removed. Also "religious terrorism" is incredibly over dramatic and untrue.
Franklin do you want to play the meta game? Then set up your forum the way you like then ask everyone to move there. If the majority do then you win and we do things your way. If they don't the it's your job to get a majority that favor you elected. This is nothing new. Short of a violent overthrow that has always been the way to change government.
eRepublik since it's beginnings uses out-of-ingame methods to play. This game is a meta game. Since forever. Not sure how did USA function before Dictatorship era but all countries used IRC and forums. Beacuse all ingame functions needed means of communication and places where ingame stuff will be discussed and agreed. The game itself never quite offered players that. The communities invented functions such as governors, secretaries and ministries. the Game tried to follow that in order to indulge player's needs. That's why they tried implementing ingame chat, forums and even shouts&walls. Also ingame policital positions. All that too late, when the community of eWorld already had irc, skype and what not. There is no community (except maybe the little TOed countires with no enough RL population playing) that doesn't use the ''META''. It's just the way the communities organized. Without it this game would never reach 8 years. Players would quit cause there wasn't anything to do except work and train and do some fighting. It's the META that created all of this.
So we can now discuss that meta isn't THE GAME and the why should the META players rule over those who don't want to use it. Sure we can discuss it forever. But n the end, the META is where this game is played and i honestly can't understand there are still people who don't get it. Few buttons here can never replace all those giggles on chats, all the ambassador research, all the fun and fighting. It's just how it is. Sure you can play without it. But it will never be accepted because it's dull, boring and plain stupid. At least i hope USA will neevr accept it, cause if they do, that will be the end of USA. A community that doesn't use irc or forum to play can never be organized, qucik to react or have enought intelligence to act against/before/in line with communities that use the ''META''
so... many... wordsss....
"Our President has knowingly incited a massive display of articles full of sensationalist political buzzwords."
Sorry Paul, I had to.
And here I thought I was a classy writer
;_;
Hey man...
Take a hit offa dat political bong.
Then you'll experience dem political BUZZwords. 😃
IG is best G.
:/ too serious 🙁
but I voted it up though. 🙂
Next time I promise it won't be serious 😉
Gosh damn this writing is beautiful.
Rekt, holy, just REKT.
Best article you've written.
I also like the one where I interviewed a rock.
You sir, deserve my respect.
Keep doing this.
Thanks, I appreciate it.
If you really want to bring Madison into this conversation, you've completely ignored the face that Madison wrote, even more extensively, during the early American years about the tyranny of the majority. In the case of the eUS forums, tyranny of the majority does exist, as exemplified by the blacklist and the targeting of SFP members by those who advocated for the blacklist.
Example: lots of foreign fighters got involved with the LW. Wooky and Nick, both Australian citizens, somehow end up on the blacklist. No other foreigners did. The two were former members of SFP, and Wooky isn't even part of BC anymore. That is clear targeting, and thus if you REALLY wanna begin in real life politics to this game, I think Madison would more inclined to agree that tyranny of the majority is a real problem on the forums.
Quite simply...no.
Our founding fathers were very very elite, the tyranny of factions that Madison speaks of regards passions, which are system is designed to slow and prevents. Madison would have absolutely no understanding of nor sympathy towards your complaint of a lack of direct democratic controls.
You'll have better luck with Jefferson on all fronts, but Madison, and Washington all understood the dangers of allowing anyone to break the law without punishment. Clear precedent can be seen in the response to the Whiskey Rebellion etc. if you want to talk nullification we can but that seems a stretch and again you'll be looking more to Jefferson.
As for Nick and Wooky, we have a precedent of blacklisting former Americans who fight against American interests, not just every foreigner who does so, see the blacklisting of DMV. Basically your argument is flawed, I do understand Madison, the end.